The athlete from Temirtau set two records at the Asian Cup in powerlifting

More than a thousand athletes from Kazakhstan and India participated in the Asian Cup of the National Powerlifting Association in Temirtau. Alexander Makarov, a coach from the city of Metallurgov, set Asian and European records: in the military bench press, he lifted a barbell weighing 187.5 kg and a 115-kilogram projectile on his biceps.

Two years ago, Alexander also set a record. Then the athlete lifted 185 kg. Prior to that, the record was held by a powerlifter from Russia and stood at 180 kg.

– The military bench press differs from the classic one in that it is performed with the legs raised. There is no way to lean on, pave and help yourself thereby. Due to this, the military bench press is more difficult," explains Alexander.

His second record is lifting the barbell on his biceps. Alexander lifted a 115 kg projectile. The previous record was 112 kg and also belonged to him.

According to the athlete, hard training and preparation for competitions are easy for him.

– Over the years, when everything has already been worked out, there are skills, there is an understanding of how and what needs to be done, it becomes easier to train. Taking on a new, extreme weight is difficult, but more so psychologically," the powerlifter notes.

Alexander is almost 50 years old now. He joined the power sport about 20 years ago. At first, gym classes were just a hobby for him, but later they became a full-time job.

– I was in my early 30s. With a height of 181 cm, he weighed only 63 kg. At that time, I was told that I was not genetically predisposed to great success in strength sports. But I was working as a security chief at the time and just went to the gym for myself. And after a while, the owner of the gym came up to me, looked at me and offered to work as a coach. I agreed. I studied and memorized a lot. Over time, he raised several champions in powerlifting himself," Alexander said.

The powerlifter does not plan to stop there. There are new competitions and new records ahead.